A federal scientific advisory panel, which earlier this month approved the first experiments involving the transfer of genetically altered cells into humans, Monday rejected a proposal to establish an outside review committee to consider the social and ethical implications of such research.

A federal scientific advisory panel, which earlier this month approved the first experiments involving the transfer of genetically altered cells into humans, Monday rejected a proposal to establish an outside review committee to consider the social and ethical implications of such research.

A dramatic technological and scientific revolution is about to reshape agriculture. Scientists are creating a brave new world in which plants will repel attacking insects, weeds will explode and die, electronic implants can be programmed to beep a farmer when one of his dairy cows develops a fever and cattle may even grow to the size of elephants.

At some computer work stations, an automatic alarm clock within the system reminds users what time of day it is. "It prevents burnouts," said one federal government employee who works with the latest high-speed computations. "The computer speeds up the thinking process and relieves the doldrums of an eight-hour day." For others, however, the computer has become a time trap, monitoring their progress and forcing them to produce information at a faster, more frantic pace. Speed, speed, speed.